Gai Waterhouse is still talking up the Caulfield Cup prospects of Strawberry Boy after the four year old made it two wins from two starts this campaign.

Strawberry Boy

Strawberry Boy is heading towards the Caulfield Cup after winning two from two this campaign. Photo by: Steve Hart

Stable rider Nash Rawiller dictated the race in front and strode away in the straight to record an easy win in the Benchmark 76 Paul Noble Mile (1600m) at Warwick Farm today.

Even though Strawberry Boy has a long way to go from a restricted race win to the Group 1 $2.5m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 20, Waterhouse is supremely confident that the gelding will make the grade.

“He’ll go straight to Melbourne now to run in the Naturalism over 2000m, I think he is a real Caulfield Cup horse,” Waterhouse said.

The Group 3 $150,000 D’Urban Naturalism Stakes (2000m) is run at Caulfield on September 22 and will be the real test to find out if Strawberry Boy is up to Spring company.

Rawiller went straight to the lead and after setting a steady pace was able to hold off all the challengers and move away for a comfortable one and a half length win over Jacquinot Bay and Mon Soleil.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.